NBA Playoff Chaos 😳 Knicks/Hawks, Nuggets in Trouble + Magic SHOCK! | Who Ya Got Ep. 152

Minnesota Stuns Denver Early

SPEAKER_01 0:00

I've been shocked with the way Minnesota has just really taken control of the series. I mean, I I thought they would win, obviously, because they've they played well in the first round the last few years, but um I'm surprised they've just kind of like taken away Denver's identity, really.

SPEAKER_02 0:14

And this is Derek Thompson from Pick Em Pros. You can catch us on all podcast platforms, including YouTube and now 104.5 WCCG in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

Let's go back to pick em up the bro, go to drop ball, drop a pick and roll.

SPEAKER_00 0:37

We're gonna up to go, touchdown. This is not real good. We the winning team, 10 minutes when you want to.

SPEAKER_02 0:44

All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. You know who it is. I am Derek Thompson. I'm Diego Thompson. And who are we? The Pickin' Pros. The Pick'em Pros coming back at you in the house. Episode 152. Who you got? Father, son, dynamic duo. Man, it's NBA playoff time. So quick 15-minute show today. Again, we're just gonna talk about four of the first round NBA series. So we're gonna talk about the Knicks Hawks. That series is 2-2, shocking a lot of people. We're gonna talk about the Nuggets Wolves, 3-1. I think that's shocking everybody, not us, because we both picked the Timberwolves to win that series. The Pistons Magic, a 2-1 Magic. That's shocking a lot of people. We're gonna talk about that. And then we're gonna finish off with the 76ers, who I picked to win that series, versus the Celtics. That's 2-1. They have a pivotal game for tonight at 7 p.m. So that's what we're gonna talk about today. Uh Sunday noon uh right now, Eastern time, time of filming. The NBA playoffs is on fire, man. We got uh some upsets brewing, some tied series, some 3-1 series, whole lot of stuff going on, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Yeah, man. A lot going on right now, man.

Knicks Hawks Swing On Mistakes

SPEAKER_02 1:50

Yeah, definitely a lot going on. So hey, we're gonna dive right into it. Knicks Hawks is the first series that we're gonna talk about, man. This series is tied 2-2. I think we both picked the Knicks to win this series when it started. Uh, I had it in seven, knew this was gonna be a tight series. Uh, what would you have this one in?

SPEAKER_01 2:08

I had it in six. Six.

SPEAKER_02 2:10

Okay, okay. So you're still, we're both still in line with that. But uh, Hawks went up 2-1. Knicks came back, tied it 2-2. What's your take on what's going on so far, Diego?

SPEAKER_01 2:21

Um, yeah, I mean, this has been a good series, but been back and forth. Um, I mean, I think the Knicks just got up, just got a lock in. Because I think they could have won the two games they lost, but it was just due to a few mistakes, like the turnovers, like in game three when they lost, they had 18 turnovers. And um, yeah, I think Brunson, he's been carrying him, but obviously on defense because of his size, he's been somewhat of a liability. So they've been go they've been tight, they've been um going at him a little bit on that end, but of course he's been carrying him on the offensive side. And um, yeah, yeah. So it's it's been a tight series. I'm gonna stick with him in six, though.

SPEAKER_02 2:55

You're sticking with him in six. Okay, all right. Yeah, yeah. I'm I'm sticking with him in seven. So, you know, the clutch, it's really come down to clutch time in the first three games, except game four. Game four, there wasn't really much uh, you know, clutch time at the end. But those uh first three games, man, CJ, you know, uh, you know, did his thing at the end of those and uh they come down to the wire. So the Knicks, they got to get out, got to get out fast, got to get out like they did game four. They can do that, if they can push the pace, think that's another key for them. But uh, yeah, if it gets down to the last few possessions, that's where Atlanta can really lock in. You know, they've got CJ, he's got the mid-range game. The Knicks, you know, having Brunson, this is where him being undersized, although he's got amazing footwork, uh, amazing clutch player himself, but they've got, you know, Kaminga they can throw on. They got some long bodies that they can throw at him to try to get the ball out of his hands, and then we really don't trust anybody else on that roster of the Knicks that they would actually play. Yeah. Now, some of the guys on the bench I would absolutely trust on the Knicks, but they're not gonna play. And uh guy that came from Utah. Yeah, Jordan Clarkson. Yeah, Clarkson, man. If I'm the Knicks, I want to see him more. I think they always make great runs when he's in the game. Yeah. They need to play him more. And if they do get into a clutch situation, I'd like to see him on the floor because he is a bucket.

SPEAKER_01 4:20

He is a bucket. I think he put him and him and Brunson, even though that would be kind of tough defensively, but I it but in clutch time, you're gonna need a bucket, and other other three guys are gonna have to lock in. But I think Clarkson and Brunson can really uh help him in the clutch time a lot. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.

Wolves Clamp Down On Nuggets

SPEAKER_02 4:36

All right, all right, so let's get into the next series here. We're gonna talk about four today. So that was the first one. So the next one we're gonna talk about is the Nuggets, man, the Nuggets and the Timberwolves. So that series, that was the late game last night. Timberwolves shocking the world. They're up 3-1. Not shocking us, though, because we both picked the Minnesota Timberwolves to beat the Nuggets in this series. I had them, no, we both had them in seven as well. So that that's the only thing we might be wrong on. Yeah. Is that but we're definitely not surprised by this. Um, now it's surprised on how they played with Ant going down, clearly. Um, hopefully, you know, we'll find out soon what that injury is. Hopefully, it's a hyper extension. Uh, I really hope it's not anything else. I know everyone's saying hyper extension. It reminds me of Klay, the way he came down with that dunk in the NBA Finals. So I hope it's nothing like that for sure. And then he can come back in a couple of games. I'm sure they'll rest him in game five and uh maybe bring him back for game six if needed. But uh man, what's your take on this series so far?

SPEAKER_01 5:44

Um, yeah, I mean, uh the I've been shocked with the way Minnesota has just really taken control of the series. I mean, I I thought they would win, obviously, because they've they played well in the first round the last few years, but um, I'm surprised they've just kind of like taken away Denver's identity, really, and like just all that they've been doing with with Ant, Ants obviously been playing well, but then everyone else, like Rudy Gobert, has been locking up Joker. Uh everyone's uh top player in the world, apparently. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 6:12

And um and um can we put that to bed? Can can can we give SGA the love that he needs?

SPEAKER_01 6:19

SGA, this this this this series should prove why SGA is the best player in the world. And um yeah, just uh everything. I would assume obviously coming up big the last two games. He had 25 25 points in game three and then uh 43 points in game four. And and was five or five from three. He was just absolutely on fire. Amazing. Yes, everybody really doing a great job over there.

SPEAKER_02 6:44

And and it proves what what's my guy's name again?

SPEAKER_01 6:47

Um Rudy Gobert.

SPEAKER_02 6:48

No, no, no. Um for the uh Timberwolves. You just said his name. You're saying it correctly. Ayo Desumu? Yes, yes, Desumu. I got I gotta get it in my brain. I gotta get it in my brain, new on the scene, but man, amazing, like like you said, and you know, it just shows I think there's some more players like him in the NBA that that that just need a shot. Yeah, uh, and hopefully we get to see more of these guys. There's just there's just too much talent for there not to be more gems like that. So uh I would love to see that. But um, yeah, I'm I'm curious to see what he does in game five. I'm curious to see if he starts in game five or or if they wanna, you know, because he's used to coming off the bench. So, and I'm sure he'll probably will, but they may, you know, may maybe they start Conley, maybe they want to keep him in that role to just be that spark off the bench. So that that's a possibility, you know. We'll we'll see what happens there. But uh, I'm definitely curious to see. But we know Denver is a tough place to play. We know that crowd is gonna be on fire. We know they're mad about what happened at the end of that game. Yeah. So, you know, it's gonna be a tough out. Um, what what do you think happens in game five?

SPEAKER_01 7:56

Um, I'm gonna say that Minnesota drops this next one just because uh being in Denver and the fact that they've lost the last two in a row, yeah. The Denver Nuggets have, I think they're gonna be hungry for at least one more. But I think when they get back home, uh they're gonna have crowds gonna have some energy and they're gonna be ready to put this series to bed. And it looks like Ant-Man's probably not gonna come back because he's probably he's I think he's got like a bone bruise or like something. He's gonna be out for a few weeks. Apparently confirmed. Oh, that that that just him? Yeah, he's he's out for apparently a few weeks. Oh, wow. He could come back earlier because I mean, no, he's a tough dude, and he's gonna be back be back, but he's probably gonna be out for the rest of the series unless crazy happens.

SPEAKER_02 8:34

Okay, well that well that just well, man, why didn't you say something, man? I just was saying I hope it was a hyper extension and not anything worse, not an ACL. I was gonna bring it up. Man, dang, man. Come on now. Well, good. Well, I'm very happy about that. I'm happy it's not uh an ACL because I was worried about that because the way he came down, it reminded me of Klay in the finals against Toronto when he came down for that dunk. And we didn't think that was an ACL.

SPEAKER_01 8:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 8:58

Uh so yeah, okay. So that that's great. That's great news on that. Um, and yeah, but I mean Bummer, he's gonna be out a few weeks, but I think they can finish Denver. Yeah, and then now the problem is they're gonna have the Spurs, you know. But but again, I I felt I've I had the Wolves going to the Western Conference Finals because I just think they're that much of a matchup problem for so many teams.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

Yeah, yeah, I think with their matchup, they got since they got Gobert, he's he played so well against Joker. Obviously, Wemby is way more athletic than Joker, but still I think that that's gonna be a matchup unlike Wemby's scene all year. And he's gonna take him a bit to adjust, especially coming off the concussion.

SPEAKER_02 9:36

So he knows his game. I mean, they both, I'm sure they played on the French team.

SPEAKER_01 9:41

Yeah, they probably put played a lot together.

Magic Punk The Pistons Physically

SPEAKER_02 9:44

Right, yeah, yeah. So uh man, some exciting, exciting ball, exciting hoops. But uh man, okay, good good news on uh on Ant. Did not did not see that. So that just just hit. All right, well, let's get to the third game that we're gonna talk about today. Again, we're not talking about all eight series today, we're talking about the four hottest ones that we feel. So, right now, the tightly contested ones. We're gonna talk about the other game that happened uh yesterday. That was the Detroit Pistons playing the Orlando Magic. Man, that one, I think we we all had Pistons winning that series. Uh, I actually picked them to go to the finals at the very beginning. Uh I know. But in the pain point show, I said that that was my worst take ever. And that then this was after game one, just after seeing the way the Pistons played, and I figured they win game two, but I I just saw so many issues with them. I switched and said, Oh, the Magic are actually gonna win the series, which everybody thought I was crazy for switching my pick. But I really feel that the Magic gonna win the series, and then right on cue, they win game three. So game four is pivotal. We'll see what happens there. Uh, what do you think happens in game four, Diego, and for the rest of that series?

SPEAKER_01 10:59

Man, uh yeah, the this series, yeah. I think I'm gonna say the Magic win it, win the series, but and I think they get this game.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

They go up three-one.

SPEAKER_01 11:09

Yeah, I'm gonna say they go up three-one. And it shows it says a lot about the Pistons, because I mean I just don't think they're ready yet to like win to be a championship contender. I think they need one more piece. And I mean, this is good that they're getting the experience again, but if they get one more piece, K gets better and um goes along with the physicality. I think they can come back next year and be a contender, but right now I just don't know if it's their time yet.

SPEAKER_02 11:33

Man, we we gotta get Mike Sims. Mike Sims has joined us for our last few shows. He's the Detroit, all things Detroit homer, riding high from calling the Michigan Wolverines winning, uh, which he did. Uh and is high on the Pistons. I think this is where the bottom falls out there. But we've got to get on with him this week. So we're gonna have to get on with him in the next day or two. So I wish he could jump in right now. I would love to get his get his take because he was he was very confident after game two. So I I saw him uh Friday, and so he's like, yep, yeah, every all everybody was saying, you know, talking junk about the pistons and see all they had to do was make a few adjustments. So I love to know what Mike is saying now after game three. So we're gonna have to.

SPEAKER_01 12:15

They're just out physicaling um the pistons. They actually are, like, and that's that they're they've been their thing all year. They've been out physical, outphysical uh people all year. Or being more physical, be yeah, being more physical and uh yeah, but the magic, they've just they've just upped the physicalities.

Sixers Celtics And The Embiid Unknown

SPEAKER_02 12:32

Yeah, yeah, they have, they have. So can't wait to see that. All right, so we got one more game we're gonna talk about before we get you out of here for your weekend, get you to watching these games. Man, the game that's happening today, actually, this evening, 7 p.m. Eastern, I will be watching this full game for sure. The Sixers and Celtics. Uh, don't know what's up with MB yet. We know the Celtics are up 2-1 in this series. Probably not surprising a whole lot of people, but the way that the Sixers won that game to, I'm sure shocked a lot of folks. The fact they were a 14 and a half point underdog and won that game by 14 points. Yeah, that was the crazy thing.

SPEAKER_01 13:10

That was crazy.

SPEAKER_02 13:11

Crazy thing there.

SPEAKER_01 13:12

Yeah, they completely flipped the spread and went there picked to the game.

SPEAKER_02 13:15

Exactly. Without Embiid, yeah, they they did that. And then game three was tight. That was, I mean, the Celtics had the lead pretty much the whole game, but it was like five to six, seven-point lead throughout that game, and the Sixers could just never get the lead in that game, but definitely closely contested. Tatum and Brown made some shots, but um let me get your take and then I'll I'll go on uh what I'm seeing. But let me get your take on the just what what you've seen, what's gonna happen in game four, and then the uh the rest of the series.

SPEAKER_01 13:48

Um yeah, I mean, so I pick I picked the Celtics in six, I believe, at the beginning of the playoffs. And I'm gonna stick with that. So I think I'm gonna say the Celtics drop this one.

SPEAKER_02 14:02

It goes 2-2.

SPEAKER_01 14:03

Yeah, they're gonna tie it 2-2, and then that's when the Celtics lock in and win the next two. Okay. But because yeah, that that's just the way in the first round, the Celtics have been a bit shaky. It just went with this kind of core. And they they've had they they've been humbled a few times when they've when they've uh kind of gotten too excited. But yeah, and you know, I've seen I've seen Embiid, you know, walk walk in right right when the National Anthem starts and save the day, and drop 40 and 10 in person when they played the Hornets a few years ago. So we have no clue what Embiid's gonna do.

SPEAKER_02 14:35

Nah, nah, he really did that. Like we did not think Embiid was even playing. Yeah, because he was not on the court at all.

SPEAKER_01 14:42

Didn't warm up, showed up right when the national anthem started, and then got 40 and 10, and they won. I've never seen that in my life.

SPEAKER_02 14:49

It was crazy. It was crazy. That was crazy. Not one, not one. So yeah, yeah, man. So what I and I I predicted the Sixers would win this series in seven before the series started. Now, I thought M B would be back by game one, but that clearly didn't happen. But I'm sticking with it. I'm sticking with the Sixers in seven. Um, hey, the fact that it's two right now, that's right on par. Sixers clearly need to get you know game four today. But I from what I'm seeing, the Celtics, they're slowly turning, turn they're they're turning back into the old Celtics that we know and love. It's the Tatum Brown show.

SPEAKER_01 15:31

Yeah, they won a championship playing that way.

Predictions Recap And Next Show

SPEAKER_02 15:33

So yeah, that that that that was an interesting year. Uh but but yes, they they did. But how many Eastern Conference finals and finals did they get to and how many disappointments did they have playing that way? So yeah, they they they broke through and got one in an interesting year, but yeah, I think it is an interesting year, also and it is, it very much is for sure, maybe more than ever. But they're turning back into the Jason Tatum, um, Jalen Brown, cha-cha slide, step back three, dribbling too much. You your turn, my turn, Celtics, and that's a problem. Uh, they're not looking like the swing, swing, swing, Pritchard, you know, open three Celtics. Now, if they can become the swing, swing, swing, Pritchard open three Celtics, they're the only team that has any type of chance, maybe against OKC. But with those guys on there, they're not gonna do that. So that's that's what I what I worry about. So can't wait to see it, man. All right. Well, hey, like we said, 15-minute show, keeping it short today. Just wanted to touch on the NBA uh playoffs, mid-first round. We'll be back. Hopefully in a day or so. We got to get Mike on and just do what we'll do something just on the Pistons uh magic. So we'll get Mike Sims on here soon, and then as we go into round two, we'll be back. So shout out to everybody. Thanks and love. Enjoy uh the playoffs, and we'll see y'all next time.

SPEAKER_00 17:02

All right, until then, pick them proof em up pro, blue, drop a pro pick em pro.